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^7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
    I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

^9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
    and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
    that’s not my destination!

¹¹ Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
    all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
    I’m on the right way.

Psalm 16:8-11 (MSG)

{Fasting, Prayer and a Little Music}

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Ever had one of those days when you feel like you have so many balls in the air, that you just know one is going to come crashing down? Yep...I know I have!  I am there right now.  These are some life-changing decisions we are contemplating, but PRAISE JESUS that they are all great decisions to be faced with.  Whenever we are preparing to make these decisions, we fast and pray.  It's funny that these seasons in my life always happen right around Easter.  Every year, for the past 3 years, we have done the Daniel Fast leading up to Easter.  Looking back, I can see how the Lord really began to reveal his plans to us, and really started to stir our hearts during the Daniel Fast.  The seasons have stretched my faith, and challenged us as a family.  I have had to reign my anxiety in, relinquish control and trust HIM!  The great thing is, that God's already got it worked out!  I wholeheartedly, passionately believe this!

This morning, as my mind was racing, I heard Chris Tomlin's song, "Whom Shall I Fear", on the radio.  The chorus says exactly what I needed to hear.  I love God's heart, and how he speaks through others:

I know Who goes before me

I know Who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The One who reigns forever

He is a Friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

 

Don't you love that?!?!  If you are wrestling with a big decision, or just feeling plain defeated, I encourage you to take a couple of minutes and listen to this song.  It reminds me that Jesus is on my side, is fighting for me, and passionately loves me.  I pray it does the same for you! 

Happy Wednesday, Friends!



{Yep...I'm Going Insane}



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So, it's about that time!  I am tired of being tired and not feeling healthy!  I am kicking off this new year (I just turned 32 on the 9th), and getting my lazy butt in shape.  I started Insanity this morning, and it was not pretty!  This is seriously the hardest program I have EVER done.  The first time I tried to start the program, I puked after the fit test.  Sad...I know.  But we all have to start somewhere, and for me it's at the beginning.  I am really hoping to be more Jennifer Aniston-esque in my 40's, than where I am currently heading with my inconsistent and virtually non-existent workout habit!

This morning, I did the first video on the schedule: Plyometrics Cardio Circuit.  Now, I am not a huge fan of cardio or plyo, so you can image how pleased I was that Shaun T decided to combine them.  Awesome!  I made it to the last round of the last circuit (which was a miracle) and started to fall apart.  When suddenly, Colton (my precious 3 year old angel) started doing the exercises with me...and encouraging me!  "Mommy, only 10 more seconds.  We can do it Mommy.  We're almost done!" Welp...who's gonna stop after hearing that?  Not this girl.  I may not be able to walk tomorrow, but I finished the video, sweaty and barely breathing, with the help of my baby boy.  God knew I needed motivation, and he sent me the best motivation in the world! LOVE IT!

Now, I am not going to update every day.  There's just no way I can promise that.  But I would like to update every Friday with how the week has gone, and if there has been any weight loss.

Thank you to Lauren Lewis for inspiring me to do this! If that woman can raise 3 kids, study for the MCAT, be super involved in the church, and become an organic foods specialist of sorts (with her wonderful husband of course), all while getting up at 5 am to do the program (not with her wonderful husband)...I can do it too!  She is a wonderful friend and a modern day Super Woman and I am thankful for her!

If you are interested in checking Insanity out for yourself...click HERE.

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Just looking at that photo makes my body hurt.  I'll be back at it tomorrow, though.  Have a great weekend, ya'll!

{Flashback: Christmas 2012}

We had a VERY active holiday season this year.  Like a lot of families with out-of-town relatives, we alternate holidays with both sides of the family.  This year, we traveled to Florida for Christmas (for 11 wonderful days), so we had to get visits with my side in prior to leaving. 

We started off in South Carolina, with Dad and Beth.  We love visiting them!  The boys get to see their cousins and we get to enjoy the outdoors a lot while we are there.  Not to mention, God blessed me with the world's best Step-Mother!  If you've got to have one, you'd better pray for a lady like Beth...what a blessing she is to my family, and to my Dad.  Not to mention, she came with the most amazing family of her own.  Matt, Sarah, Nathan, Will and Katie Beth...we just love them!  Anytime we get to go and spend the weekend with them, we're all in!

This year, Dad and Beth took all of us to a farm, where we enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride, with some of the most beautiful horses.  The property was stunning, and it was just cold enough to feel like winter, but not too cold for comfort.  We got to have a picnic right beside a stream, and play football in an open field.  The entire day was right up our alley.  After that, we got to have a bonfire at a little fort in the woods of the property.  The boys (all of them) had a blast!  What boy wouldn't?  The place was like a little boy's wonderland!

Once we got back to their house and ate dinner and opened presents, I forgot to pick my camera back up.  It was nice, because I was able to really enjoy the moment, but I do wish I had at least gotten a few shots of the boys with Pop-Pop and BeBe.  It was an awesome weekend though, and a great way to kick off our Christmas celebrations!

Our Christmas celebration with Mom was equally as awesome.  My Mom's husband Jimmy is another great blessing in our lives.  As far as Step-Dad's go...he's the best!  We all love us some Jim-Jim, and he loves us right back!  He really is a great man, and a great Grandfather to our children and a great husband to my Mom.  This year, I realized how truly blessed we are by the new family in our lives.  It our family different than I thought it would be...Yes.  Is it better than I thought it could be...Absolutely!  I never imagined that Zach and I would have a total of 3 Step-Brothers, but we do and I am so thankful for them all!

We started our celebration by hitting up Lake Lanier's Magical Nights of Lights.  All 12 of us packed into a 14 passenger van and rode through the light display and wound up at the carnival.  Now, I am a roller coaster junkie!  Few things in life make me happier than a good roller coaster ride.  I was a little nervous about how the boys would react, and if they would like the rides.  Verdict: They both LOVED the rides!  Praise Jesus!!!  I cannot wait to take them to Six Flags now!  We had so much fun with the family that night, and it was so much fun to see the kids (even Little Bobbie) be so brave, and really enjoy themselves.

Again, when it came to dinner and present time, I forgot about my camera...Oops!  But again, I got to enjoy the craziness of the evening...and it was a fun one!

Wiped Out!

The Saturday before Christmas, we headed South to Florida.  One the way down, we got to stop and visit with Uncle Ray and Aunt Mary.  Ray is one of Kevin's best friends from college.  We have done a lot of life with them over the years, and they really are more like an aunt and uncle to our kids, than family friends.  When Hayden was born, they drove up from Florida to meet him.  The send the boys birthday and Christmas presents every year.  They gave Colton his beloved Doggie, that he cannot sleep without.  They are such a blessing to us and the boys.  In true uncle fashion, Ray suggested that we meet them for lunch at the World's Largest McDonalds in Orlando.  Pretty much, the most incredible thing the boys had ever seen...MINDS BLOWN!

Once we got to Florida, we got to meet Kevin's new sister, Lucy MacGillicuddy Burtch.  He He!  It's a Burtch Family Tradition to give pets funny middle names.  MacGillicuddy was Lucille Ball's maiden name.  Ashley is a HUGE Lucy fan, so it fit perfectly.  The first Burtch dog, Snickers (R.I.P.), had Lurtch for a middle name.  I think Lucy fared much better...don't you?  How stinkin' cute is this dog???

We got to do so many fun things with the Burtch side of the family while we were in Florida.  Again, I am pretty sure we have the best family EVER!  I know I am blessed with the best in-laws on the planet...hands down!  Here are some of our adventures:

1) Swimming in December  2) Movie Date Night @ iPic Theater w/ Recliners, Blankets & Pillows  3) Hayden's 1st Game of Twister  4) Spending Time With Tatiana (oh, how we've missed her)

1) Skateboarding at the Park  2) Madagascar 3 + A Crazy Clown Wig  3) Largest McDonald's in the World in Out PJ's



1) Christmas Eve Services at Church By The Glades...AMAZING night of worship and celebrating Jesus' birth! 2) Colton fell asleep during dinner. The anticipation of Santa was just too much for his little body to take.  3) Sweet boys snuggling on Christmas Eve.



This year, instead of Christmas cards, Brenda decided to send out New Year's cards.  That way, shoe could have the whole family in the photo.  So, I set up my tripod and camera timer and took these photos for the cards:

I love Colt's face in the bottom one.  You can tell he's super excited to be taking another picture!  The life of a photographer's child...that sounds like the title of a book I need to write!

Christmas was an amazing experience this year.  11 days was a long time to be away from home, but we got to make up for lost time with Kevin's parents, and that was something we all needed!  We missed them so much, and it was nice to get to do fun things with them.  But also, just to sit and talk...it was comforting for us all. 

I am exhausted from just going through our month of December.  Not sure how we crammed so much in...but it was worth every second.  It did take us most of January to recover, though!

Speaking of January...Tomorrow, I am posting about New Years and the Orange Bowl!

{Bragging On My Boy}

Copyright 2013 Angel Kisses Photography

For those that know Hayden, then you know he is high energy, a total Type A, super outgoing and an old soul with a heart of gold.  Last week, the high energy part of his being got him in a bit of trouble at school...several times.  Honestly, it took us by surprise.  Hayden is typically the teacher's pet.  He loves school and he also needs words of affirmation...this is CLEARLY his love language.  For the most part, I think he behaves so well because he desires praise instead of reprimands.  It was so out of the ordinary, and I was taken aback when his teacher said that he had been in trouble for his inability to stay seated during class and for acting crazy in the line.  Behavior and obedience are two things we don't mess around with in our house.  The boys know what we expect from them and they know their punishment if they break the rules.  So, Hayden spent a lot of time sitting in his room thinking about his behavior, and is banned from all things electronic for an entire week.  Last week was so hard on Kevin and I too.  We rarely have to punish our kids for how they act outside of our home.  We are so fortunate that they act WAY BETTER for others than they do for us.  I am totally okay with admitting that.  But last week, I started to think we had a full moon every night! Insanity!

During a normal week of non-crazy behavior, Hayden does things like volunteering to pray over our dinner(nearly every night).  This started when he was only 3.  When we would ask if he wanted us to help, he would always say no...that he could do it himself.  As he has grown, his prays have matured, but they have always been his special, precious words.  This is something that has always made me so proud.  I wish I could say that I had something to do with it, but I think that it's a true gift from God.  I call Hayden my Angel Face!  I think, for so many reasons, that he really is one...oh my heart!

Hayden loves going to church on Sunday.  Since he moved up to "big kid church" or KidMo (elementary ages) at Momentum CC, he has looked forward to going.  Kevin and I recently started volunteering with the children's program, so the boys are now spending 2 services in their respective classes.  Yesterday, we stopped by to talk to his class leaders to see how he has been doing. Honestly, I was a little worried to hear their response.  But here are a few things they said about Hayden:

1) He is always happy and obeys
2) If they ever need volunteers, he is the first one with his hand in the air
3) He loves to lead his peers from the stage in song and dance (even though he's one of the youngest in the room)
4) He ALWAYS volunteers to pray over the offering
5) When he prays, he always prays for orphans, that they find homes and families to love them

I literally walked in to church in tears.  So what if my child doesn't like to sit in his seat at school or tries to break dance while waiting in line to go to the bathroom!  That moment made the stresses of the previous week seem so trivial.  His heart...that sweet 5 year old heart...is certainly in the right place.  I am overwhelmed with pride.  Not because I think I have anything to do with it.  I am proud that he is the way he is in spite of me!  I could learn so much from Hayden's love of God and others, and his blind faith that Jesus IS the solution to the problems of this world.  I want need to have that child-like faith.  I am sure it would give me a much different perspective on life!

{Fear, Inspiration & Lungleavin Day}

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I find so much inspiration in this verse.  I for one, take the Bible at it's word.  With that said, I read this verse and know that God created me to be courageous and loving and determined.  How cool is that!?!  I love the thought that I was not created to sit on the sidelines of life cheering everyone else on.  I am meant to be knee deep in the trenches, acting as His hands and feet on this planet. 

That doesn't mean fear won't get the best of me at times.  It does...for sure!  One thing that terrifies me?  CANCER.  That word can stop me dead in my tracks, and make my heart ache like nothing else.  I have lost two grandfathers to cancer.  My grandmother and 2 great-grandmother battled and survived breast cancer.  Kevin lost his grandfather to brain cancer, and currently has a grandmother suffering with it as well.  The list just goes on and on.  So many people are affected by it, and it knows no boundaries.  It's easy to feel helpless, because the disease is just so vast. 

I have recently been feeling a tug at my heart, to volunteer with some organization that works with cancer patients or survivors.  I came across Magic Hour Foundation.  This organization's mission states, "We are a national network of professional photographers who want to serve the individuals and families who are fighting cancer by providing them with the ability to celebrate the truly important things in life through photography. These charitable portrait sessions will provide an opportunity to be normal - just relax, smile and have fun with loved ones. Above all, we will strive to express compassion and love as we support them and pray for God’s grace in their lives, no matter the outcome of their battle."  I am honored to now be a volunteer with this organization, and pray that my God given gifts will bring some joy into the lives of these brave warriors.  If you want to nominate someone, or are personally interested in applying for a session, please visit www.magichourfoundation.org.  We want to share this service with as many people as possible, so please help us spread the word!

Cancer is something I look at as a possibility in my life down the road.  With my family history, it's something I take very seriously.  But, it's not something I will ever allow myself to be fearful of.  My God is for me, and He is faithful!  Over the last few weeks, I have read so many stories of peers who have battled cancer, or have children or other family members facing down this disease.  So many of them are living out 2 Timothy 1:7, and I am in awe.

One story in particular touched my heart.  Heather Von St. James was just 36, and a brand new mommy to a 3 1/2 month old, when she was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.  This form of cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos and kills 90-95% of those diagnosed.  That's grim folks, and I cannot imagine baring that burden.  On February 2, 2006, Heather underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy...or the removal of her left lung.  Today, she is healthy, happy and CANCER FREE (to God be the glory)! 

On the anniversary of her surgery, Heather celebrates Lungleavin Day (I love the name of the holiday...perfection).  In a recent email to me, Heather said. "Lungleavin Day is a celebration of life and facing your fears. Each year we celebrate with nearly 100 loved ones. The idea of this day is for everyone to fill a blank plate with their fears and smash it into a bonfire at my Lungleavin Day party, symbolizing people throwing their fears to the fire. I also use Lungleavin Day as a fundraiser for mesothelioma research."

Wow!  My friends, that's how it's done!  I pray that I would be so brave!  Please take a second to visit Heather's blog post about this special day, and to donate to her cause.  I know that your time and/or contributions will be greatly appreciated.

Heather's Blog: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/heather/

Heather's FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherVonStJames

On Saturday, after all 10 of my Valentine Mini Sessions are done, I plan to write out a list of the fears holding me back.  Christ died so that I did not have to be afraid.  I think this is a perfect time to take a moment and reflect on His grace, and send those fears right on up for the Big Guy to handle.  If you are really wrestling with something, maybe you should consider doing the same!  Celebrate Lungleavin Day and let those fears go bye-bye!

{Happy Birthday To Me}

It's my 31st birthday today.  I have to admit, I am so glad to move on from 30.  Last year, I was so excited...I knew and had known for a long time that 30 was going to be BIG!  The Good Lord knows, I had no idea how big.  The last year has been more of a marathon than a sprint.  I can honestly say that I learned more, about myself and others, in my 30th year than ever before. 

I started a new womens' Bible study yesterday...The wonderful Beth Moore's study on the book of James.  James 1: 2-4 kinda stopped me in my tracks:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So, let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

I wish I had read this on my birthday last year.  Some of the challenges of the past year would have made much more sense.  But hey...His timing is perfect!  I WILL NOT argue with that!

I am grateful for all of the lessons learned, because they brought me to where I am at today.  I am in a place of peace and joy and contentment.  There is a lot to come this year...I feel it...and I cannot wait to see how God will use me and my family.  I have a feeling there will be a lot of opportunities to serve this year and I cannot wait.  BRING IT...I'm ready!

In the Beginning...

Okay...I'll get to the title of the blog and explain myself right off the bat. I'm sure you have heard of the television show, "Raising Hope". If you haven't...what rock have you been hiding under? It is ridiculously funny and just another reason I look forward to Fox's Tuesday night line up (I'm such a Gleek)! Do I love the show? Of course. Did I kinda "barrow" the name for my blog? Sort of. But -- and this is a BIG but -- I can promise you this blog will not be about me raising the child of a serial killer with the assistance of my neurotic parents and crazy grandmother. While that does sound fun, this blog is about my husband, Kevin, and I raising our boys, learning from our mistakes, and relishing in this crazy beautiful life we have been blessed with.

One of my son's pre-school teaches recently told me that my children were the most polite, gentlemanly boys she had ever worked with, and that it gave her a little hope that chivalry is not lost. <Insert a proud Mommy smile HERE>. Now, I was super proud of my boys and even a little proud of Kevin and I. As any parent knows, manners are not easily taught and definitely easy to forget. But this is something that is extremely important in our family. We want to raise HOPE! We want to raise our boys to be rough and tumble, fearless, polite, caring, loving, affectionate, godly men. I know that seems like a lot to ask in our "Me" driven society. It takes a lot of hard work on the part of parents and I am so up for the challenge. And a challenge it's going to be. Because, you see, I cannot ask them to be something that I refuse to be myself. This Momma needs a lot of internal work! This blog is going to be about a lot of things...and that includes transforming my own life into one that follows after Christ and sets the example my children need to see, in order to become the men they are meant to be.

Art Birch said, "Since Jesus highly values children, mothers are his servants when they bless their children for him." I want to be His servant and for my children to learn about life from their parents. Kevin and I have lived a lot...the good, the bad and the ugly. I want to be the one to teach them right from wrong, and the one to teach them about Jesus. Not rely on someone else to do it for me. This is something I have really struggled with over the last few years. 2011 was not the easiest of years for our family, and we decided to make a radical change to our priorities. We put our house up for sale, sold my husband's insurance agency and moved back to Georgia from South Florida. It wasn't an easy decision, but the move has allowed me to become a stay-at-home mommy and part-time photographer and my husband to find the job that he will be genuinely happy doing. This is such a leap of faith, but we have PRAYED endlessly and feel we are following after Jesus! We may seem crazy to most people...that's okay. We're pretty sure we're crazy too! But we are doing our best to follow Christ, and that doesn't always make sense to everyone. We do have a little secret on our side though! We know that God has a plan and he is laying it out as I type this, and that is so comforting and even more exciting!

I have a lot of hope for our future, for my marriage, for my boys, for our jobs and for our dreams! I hope you will join us on this journey!

Seconds Before We Pulled Out of the Driveway in Wellington, FL for the Last Time

The Reason I Breathe

***Disclaimer*** Please excuse the "look" of the blog at the moment. I am certainly not tech savy and anything involving the letters h, t, m, or l in one phrase might as well be Chinese! I am waiting for the most fabulous blog designer EVER (check her out HERE) to open her shop back up and design this one for me. October 1 can't get her fast enough! I have to many ideas floating around, so I wanted to get them out before my head explodes!